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《HIGH ON LIFE》(II): If Life Is So Beautiful, Why Does It Feel Like a Mess?

Lucywang — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:14:35 +0000

In our previous article, we talked about dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin，　discovering that emotions aren’t entirely out of our control. With the right techniques, we can actually learn to guide them.
Today, let’s continue to flip through this “Chemical Mixology Guide for Emotions” and look at three more key substances: cortisol, endorphins, and testosterone, to see how they shape our emotions and behavior at work.

Cortisol: The Stress Hormone
Cortisol is often called stress hormones. When you face an urgent project or your manager suddenly assigns a new task, your body releases cortisol to remind you, “This needs to be done!” At the same time, it releases glucose to give you the energy needed to deal with pressure.
A certain level of stress is healthy, it keeps you motivated and alert. But many professionals today live under prolonged high cortisol levels: working overtime, over-focusing on performance, constantly bombarded by messages, and struggling to find work-life balance.
In this state, the body mistakenly believes it’s always in “crisis mode,” making it hard to relax. Over time, this can lead to anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, digestive issues, weakened immunity, and even memory or focus problems. Prolonged cortisol imbalance can also affect serotonin levels, leading to loss of motivation or depression.

So, how can we manage it?
Studies show that regular exercise, deep breathing, and meditation can help lower cortisol levels. In the workplace, it’s equally important to take moments to pause and recharge. When stress hits, try looking at family photos, getting a massage, hugging someone, or expressing gratitude, all of which can trigger the release of oxytocin, helping to ease stress naturally.

Endorphins: The Natural Mood Booster
The fifth chemical, endorphins, is often called the “happy painkiller.” They’re released through exercise, laughter, or listening to music. Remember that surge of euphoria marathon runners feels when crossing the finish line? That’s endorphins at work.

In the workplace, endorphins not only reduce stress but also build resilience. When a project hits a rough patch, and the team manages to laugh or joke together, the problem might not disappear immediately, but the mood lightens, and creativity returns. Studies show that smiling or laughing makes you feel happier and also helps others see you as more trustworthy.
Interestingly, endorphins are also closely linked to challenge. When we step out of our comfort zone and accomplish something we once thought was difficult, the brain releases endorphins as a reward, giving us a sense of satisfaction and pride. That’s why some people seem to “love challenges.” They’re not seeking trouble; they’re chasing the joy that endorphins bring.

Testosterone: The Confidence Catalyst
The last chemical, testosterone, is often associated with masculinity or muscle growth, but in fact, both men and women have it. Testosterone acts as a tool that helps us elevate our social standing. Whether it’s through humor, creativity, or generosity, this hormone enhances those very traits, making you funnier, more innovative, and more giving.
When you bravely share your ideas in a meeting or successfully hit a key target, your brain’s testosterone levels rise, giving you the courage to take on even greater challenges. Conversely, repeated setbacks can lower testosterone levels, which in turn may shake your confidence.
Interestingly, studies also show that body posture affects testosterone. Harvard psychologist Amy Cuddy proposed the “power pose” theory: simply holding an open, confident posture for two minutes can boost testosterone and lower cortisol, helping you enter a more positive and empowered state. Perhaps this is the simplest and most effective secret to workplace confidence.

Be Your Own Emotional Mixologist
Emotions at work can be guided through awareness and small adjustments. When you feel anxious, check whether your cortisol might be too high, and relieve it with deep breathing or exercise. When you feel like avoiding challenges, take a small step forward to release some endorphins. When you hesitate to speak up, strike a confident pose to boost testosterone and give yourself a little extra courage.

Now, as you hold your own “emotional cocktail,” doesn’t it already feel a little different?

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“Your Emotions, Your Command: HIGH ON LIFE (I)”

Lucywang — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:20:32 +0000

As we catapult forward in our collective development, understanding, and the world around us, it seems that the one thing many people are having difficulty understanding still is ourselves. In the workplace, we often feel hijacked by our emotions. There may be times you don’t feel like doing anything except for scrolling on the phone even when you have a pile of work to do or are still halfway through a meeting. This “lack of willpower” is actually closely tied to the chemical substances in our brain.

Swedish neuroscientist David JP Philips proposes an interesting viewpoint in his book, High on Life. He suggests that our brain is like a cocktail, with six primary chemicals blending together to create different emotional combinations. As the “bartender of our own lives,” we can learn to adjust the ratios to mix an Angel’s Cocktail for ourselves instead of a Devil’s Cocktail.

Let’s Look at Three Common “Cocktail Ingredients”

First up is Dopamine. This chemical provides you with motivation and pleasure. When you scroll through short videos, binge-watch shows, you feel instant gratification—that’s the power of Fast Dopamine. However, that pleasure is fleeting, and the subsequent feeling of emptiness is often more intense.

In contrast, there is Slow Dopamine which is generated through exercise, reading, learning new things, or focusing on completing a project. Though this fulfillment arrives more slowly, it lasts much longer. The possible cause of people couldn’t focus may be because they are overly reliant on the stimulation of Fast Dopamine. When we choose to endure that moment of “unstimulated emptiness,” we are actually paving the way for a deeper and more lasting sense of fulfillment.

Next is Oxytocin, also known as the love hormone. It is closely linked to trust, connection, and empathy. That feeling of comfort and security you get when a manager genuinely listens to you or when a colleague lends a helping hand during a crisis—that is Oxytocin at work. The workplace is fundamentally an environment of human interaction. The more we can foster an atmosphere of genuine communication, the stronger the team cohesion will be. Simple actions like making eye contact, listening attentively, or offering a sincere thank you can quietly boost the Oxytocin levels for everyone involved, lowering stress and making collaboration much smoother.

Finally, we have Serotonin. This is the source of stability and confidence. Unlike the fleeting excitement of dopamine, the satisfaction delivered by Serotonin is deeper and long-lasting. That feeling of “I am worthy”—which occurs when your efforts are recognized and respected—is the power of Serotonin.

Some people are naturally “Dopamine people,” always rushing forward, craving challenges and stimulation. Others are closer to “Serotonin people,” preferring to enjoy stability and the present moment. If you can find the balance between these two, you can maintain vitality without losing your sense of self.

Interestingly, over 90% of our Serotonin is produced in the digestive tract, meaning diet affects our mood more than we think. Some studies even suggest that the artificial sweetener aspartame can reduce both Serotonin and Dopamine, leading to a gradual dip in mood. In other words, what you eat for lunch may well determine your emotional trajectory for the afternoon.

Taking Command of Your Emotional Cocktail

It is hard to be stress-free in the workplace, but we absolutely can learn to become the bartender of our own emotions. When we start to explore our core inner self, that is the first step towards self-emotional leadership. In the next article, I will continue our discussion on the three other key substances that influence our emotions: Cortisol, Endorphins, and Testosterone. Perhaps after reading that, you’ll have a brand-new understanding of your own workplace emotional cocktail.

So, what drink have you mixed for yourself?

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“Absurdity Is the New Reality: The Office Australia”

Lucywang — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 08:50:37 +0000

Have you ever sat through a long office meeting only to realize no one knows what the conclusion was? Or listened to a passionate “motivational speech” from your boss that was so empty you just wanted to roll your eyes? The recently released The Office Australia hilariously and painfully captures these absurd and relatable realities of modern corporate life.

An Office That’s All Too Familiar

This Australian adaptation stays true to the spirit of the original series. Set in a small packaging company called Flinley Craddick, it’s not a tech startup or global enterprise it’s the kind of ordinary office most of us have worked in.
Here, open workspaces become stages for endless mini-dramas, managers pride themselves on “understanding people,” and employees struggle to stay sane amid the chaos.
The show cleverly weaves in Australian culture from Melbourne Cup Day parties to zoo team-building trips and laid-back office attire making the humor feel grounded and real. You’ll laugh, but you’ll also see a bit of yourself in it.

The “Fake-Modern” Leader: Hannah Howard

Meet Hannah, the first female boss in the Office franchise. She champions all the right ideas diversity, inclusion, gender equality, and psychological safety buzzwords that sound modern and ESG-friendly.
But in practice, her leadership is painfully superficial: enforcing “pajama day” at work or organizing bizarre team-building games that leave everyone tired and confused.
Her character perfectly mirrors a common workplace issue, especially in Asia and Taiwan, what you might call “performative progressivism.”
Policies change on paper, but management still prioritizes KPI-driven systems and rigid processes. The result? Employees feel more pressure, not belonging.
True inclusion isn’t forcing participation, it’s creating a culture where people feel safe to be themselves and express their opinions freely.

Old Values vs. Modern Mindsets

Alongside Hannah, the show features characters embodying outdated beliefs, those who distrust female leaders or hold biases against multicultural teams. Though presented as comedy, these portrayals hit close to home.
We’ve all met that colleague who preaches equality but cracks sexist jokes, haven’t we?

These moments make The Office Australia more than just funny, they spark reflection. They remind us that real cultural transformation requires more than policy, it requires awareness and change in mindset.

Remote Work, AI, and Digital Transformation: The Real Challenge Is People

The series also tackles today’s hottest workplace topics, remote work and digital transformation.
When headquarters announces a shift to full remote work, Hannah panics about losing “office culture.” To keep everyone in the office, she imposes impossible sales targets and hosts awkward “team bonding” events, scenes that are both absurd and eerily believable.
The show highlights a truth many companies overlook: technology isn’t the hardest part of transformation, people are.
From a rogue Roomba vacuum disrupting the office to chaotic Zoom meetings where no one can hear each other, these moments capture how poor management and misunderstanding of tech often create more confusion, not progress.

Finding Sanity Amid the Madness

The chaos of office life may never disappear. Systems won’t transform overnight. Yet, as the series reminds us, even in flawed workplaces, there are people who hold their ground and stay true to themselves.
Some respond to empty slogans with quiet sarcasm. Others keep building genuine teamwork, one small step at a time.
These moments show that true workplace resilience isn’t about passive acceptance—it’s about finding your rhythm amid disorder, learning to observe, speak up, and keep a sense of humor.

Maybe we’re all living in our own version of The Office.
But as long as we believe we can make small changes—one conversation, one boundary, one act of courage at a time, we can make the workplace a little saner, a little kinder, and a lot more human.

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Why Do We Study? Why Do We Work?

Lucywang — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 03:37:24 +0000

In an era filled with information overload and diverse values, it’s easy to feel adrift. Questions like, “Why do we study? Why do we work?” are not limited to school corridors; they plague many working adults searching for meaning.

Enter the book Why Do We Study? Why Do We Work? Known in Japan as “The awakening book for a confused generation,” has been widely praised among young people still searching for direction. The author, Akira Ikegami, is a seasoned journalist and respected mentor whose insights help readers reshape how they view work, build early concepts of career planning, and alleviate the anxiety that uncertainty brings.

Staying true to his signature approachable style, Ikegami avoids complex theories and empty preaching. Instead, he uses relatable examples and clear explanations to guide us in rethinking the true purpose of “studying” and “working.” He emphasizes that work is not merely a way to earn salary, it is a stage for personal growth and a bridge that connects us to the world. Likewise, studying is not only for exams or job hunting; it is how we continue learning, broaden our perspectives, and find our footing in a rapidly changing era.

A central theme of the book is this: work and learning are not separated, they enhance each other. Many people mistakenly treat studying as something limited to the classroom and working as a distinct adult activity. This mindset often stunts professional and personal growth. Ikegami reminds us that work should not be a mindless routine; it should be a continuous learning process. Through work, we encounter new people and situations, gain experience, and strengthen our problem-solving abilities. Through learning, we deepen our expertise, increase our competitiveness, and discover new pathways for our future.

In today’s world, lifelong learning is not optional, it’s essential. Whether at school, at work, or in everyday life, learning and growth should form a continuous cycle. This mindset not only helps us remain competitive professionally but also gives us stability and direction in a fast-changing society.

Ikegami also emphasizes that choosing a job shouldn’t be based solely on salary or job titles. What matters more is finding a field we truly care about and one that allows us to use our strengths. When we feel passion for our work, challenges become opportunities for fulfillment, rather than something we endure just for a paycheck.

This message is vital for young job seekers, many of whom face the dilemma of choosing a high-pay job with no passion versus pursuing an interest with uncertain income. Ikegami’s perspective is that salary and passion are not opposites, but elements that can be balanced at different stages of life. While early careers may require building skills and experience, the long-term goal should be to transition toward work that feels meaningful and exciting—the true foundation of lasting satisfaction.

Beyond personal goals, Ikegami reminds us that work is not only for ourselves but also for society. Every profession carries social responsibility and impact. Whether you’re a doctor, engineer, journalist, or working in the service industry, everyone contributes to a better world through their expertise and commitment. This perspective helps us focus not just on career advancement but also on how we create value for others.

Why Do We Study? Why Do We Work? is essential reading for anyone who feels lost in their career or uncertain about the future. It encourages us to reexamine the meaning of work, rediscover the joy of learning, and eventually carve out a path that is truly our own. If you are at a career crossroads or feeling burnt out from studying or working, this book might offer the inspiration you need.

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【iNSearch We are different #1】

INSEARCH — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 02:50:54 +0000

Published by iN Search Management
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Mr. Lo was one of our candidates and we not only helped him land an ideal job but have become friends as well. In the executive search industry, candidates and recruitment consultants do not usually keep in touch once the position is closed, but at iN Search the friendship often carries on. Later on, Mr. Lo also invites us to seek talents for his company.

It all started two years ago; we were requested by an internationally renowned corporation to look for a senior level expert for their Security and Safety Systems team. We searched, screened, and found Mr. Lo, and it just happened that Mr. Lo was also searching for a chance to advance his career. We introduced ourselves and told him that he might be a good fit for the position. He was interested in the opportunity, so we decided to meet to get to know each other in person.

We first presented the hiring company, job description, and package. He mentioned that he was acquainted with many headhunters, but now many of them will stop here. We are different because we additionally explained to him the hiring company culture and core values. Moreover, we informed him all the relevant information in advance, so when he is onboard he is already aware of the reporting line, team members, chances for promotion, career growth, travel expectations, and so on. In many instances, headhunters may not consider it necessary to share the above information. Or they are not even familiar with the hiring company’s profile, as they usually assume that candidates will sooner or later figure it out by themselves. However, we believe only when they match the candidate will be happy and content at work in the long run.

Mr. Lo also appreciates us for being attentive listeners because numerous headhunters did not take the time to listen to him and get to know him personally. Consequently, he chose us. As professional recruitment consultants, we understand how vital it is to let our candidates speak up and express their concern.

Upon understanding Mr. Lo’s situation, perceptions, and expectations, we provided his report to the hiring company in no time. While moving forward, it was not always smooth and easy. From time to time, Mr. Lo and the hiring company would not agree with each other. It was for this reason we aided in negotiation to ensure that both parties were satisfied at the end.

He received his desired offer from the hiring company promptly, and he was impressed by our tenacity and efficiency. In fact, the entire hiring process is like running a relay race as a team. Each of us takes turns completing parts of racecourse by performing our tasks steadily, accurately, and effectively, and it is a win-win situation from which we will all gain. In the end, it is our simple, straightforward, and candidate-centric hiring process that has set us apart in this niche market.

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2025-10-23